Lady Eagles to Open 2007-08 Season at Jacksonville, Friday

STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern women’s basketball team will open up the 2007-2008 season, Friday night at Jacksonville.  The non-conference match-up between the Dolphins and the Lady Eagles is slated for 7 p.m. at Swisher Gymnasium.

Friday’s contest is the season opener for both teams and is only the second meeting between the two programs.  Last year was the first meeting that saw Georgia Southern defeat the Dolphins in Statesboro by a 76-69 decision.  Four Lady Eagles scored in double digits, including a team high 15 points off the hands of guards Tiffany Brown (Waxhaw, N.C.) and Ashley Rivens (Charlotte, N.C.) who combined for 13-of-21 shooting from the field.  Jacksonville’s Virginia Gregoire led all scorers with 16 points on the night.

The Lady Eagles, captained by twelfth-year head coach Rusty Cram, who last year became Georgia Southern women’s basketball’s winningest coach, are looking forward to the new season and hope to start the year off with a win.

“You’re always curious as to how the year started off, whether or not you got the right foot,” said Cram.  “Right now it’s not a question of fine tuning; it’s just a question of getting it done right now while we get better everyday.  It’s also that time of year, for the athletes, that they’re tired of squaring off against each other, and they just want to see another color uniform out there.”

With the return of key starters and reserves from the 2006-07 squad, in addition to three newcomers, Cram is excited about the depth of the team as a major factor not only in Friday’s game versus the Dolphins, but also throughout the season.

“I feel like we have a pretty good chance of being a good basketball team,” said Cram.  “You’re always apprehensive about being on the road, and in certain areas of the game that you’re still working on.  I feel good about the offense at this stage.  I feel good about the depth in the guard position.  The biggest thing is that if we can stay focused and play aggressive, good things are going to happen for this club.”

“Last year it was a very tough ball game,” said Cram.  “This time we’re on the road.  I expect Jacksonville will be ready.  We’re going to have to play well on the road.”

Fans can watch live video action of the game on-line at http://asun.tv.

Post-game recap and statistics will be posted on www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.

Category: Women's Basketball

Published on Thursday, 08 November 2007 00:29